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Anthurium andraeanum
The flamingo flower.
Last updated: May 2026 · by PlantParentPlaylist
Photo: Taken by Fanghong, CC BY 2.5 — via Wikimedia Commons

The Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador.
The Anthurium, or flamingo flower, produces glossy, heart-shaped leaves and waxy red, pink or white spathes that can stay vivid for months. A tropical aroid that loves warmth and humidity, it reblooms generously in bright indirect light, bringing long-lasting color to the collection.
The Anthurium's glossy red 'flower' is actually a waxy modified leaf (spathe) that can stay colorful for months at a time. Sound, too, appears to matter: a 2024 review by Pagano & Del Prete at the Italian National Research Council found that frequencies in the 400–800 Hz range measurably promote stomatal opening and nutrient absorption in plants — the science the Flamingo Flutter playlist is built on.
In short: give it bright indirect light, when the top 3cm is dry; never soggy, and the conditions below. Here is each part of Anthurium care in detail.
Bright indirect. Aim for roughly 1,500–3,000 lux.
When the top 3cm is dry; never soggy.
Loves 60%+ humidity.
Chunky, airy aroid mix with bark.
Diluted high-phosphorus feed every 6–8 weeks for blooms.
Every 1–2 years in fresh airy mix.
Most Anthurium problems trace back to watering, light or humidity. Use this table to diagnose and fix the most common issues.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown leaf tips | Low humidity or tap-water salts | Raise humidity; use filtered water |
| No flowers | Too little light or wrong feed | Give bright indirect light and a higher-phosphorus feed |
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering | Let soil dry; use a chunky, airy mix |
| Green spathes | Aging or too much nitrogen | Normal as blooms age; ease off nitrogen |
| Drooping | Thirsty or root-bound | Water; repot in fresh airy mix if crowded |
The Anthurium is matched to 432/528 Hz music at 56–86 BPM.
The Anthurium's glossy red 'flower' is actually a waxy modified leaf (spathe) that can stay colorful for months at a time. We tuned the Flamingo Flutter playlist to 432/528 Hz and 56–86 BPM to suit that biology. The frequency choice follows Pagano & Del Prete (Italian National Research Council, 2024), who identified the 400–800 Hz band as the range that most promotes stomatal opening and nutrient absorption. Play it 2–3 hours a day near your plant — it works for the plant while you enjoy the music.
Our music recommendations rest on peer-reviewed plant-acoustics research. The key studies:
When the top 3cm is dry; never soggy. Test by pushing a finger about 2–3cm into the soil — if it is dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom; if still damp, wait. Water less in autumn and winter.
A Anthurium wants bright indirect light, roughly 1,500–3,000 lux. Match that to the right window and distance, and avoid harsh, prolonged direct sun unless the care notes say otherwise.
Yes. The Anthurium is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains irritant compounds that can cause drooling, mouth and throat irritation, vomiting and loss of appetite if chewed. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet if a pet ingests any part of it.
Moderate; blooms repeatedly in good light. Growth concentrates in spring and summer and slows or stops in the darker months, so judge progress over a full season rather than week to week.
Music tuned to 432/528 Hz at 56–86 BPM is the science-matched choice — PlantParentPlaylist's Flamingo Flutter playlist is composed for it. Research by Pagano & Del Prete (Italian National Research Council, 2024) found the 400–800 Hz range promotes stomatal opening and nutrient absorption. Play it 2–3 hours a day.
432/528 Hz is the primary tuning for the Flamingo Flutter playlist. The broader 400–800 Hz band is the range peer-reviewed studies most consistently link to stomatal activity — how plants breathe and take up nutrients.
Yellowing is most often caused by overwatering, or tap-water minerals. To fix it, let the top of the soil dry between waterings and use filtered water.
Division of the root clump. Propagate in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing for the fastest, most reliable results.
Not part of the NASA study; grown for its long-lasting spathes.
You can find a Anthurium at most garden centers, nurseries and big-box stores, usually for $10–$30 depending on size. Larger, mature or variegated specimens cost more, and online plant shops and specialist growers carry rarer forms.